Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

'Bye Hermione!' Ron grinned, arm waving madly as he and Harry saw Hermione off in the Entrance Hall. Hermione was glowering at him, not in the mood to bear his positive attitude. It was nine o'clock in the morning of February 22nd and frost was touching the grounds of the school. It was a Saturday so most of the students were still in bed.

Professor McGonagall was standing next to Hermione and her trunk, writing on a piece of parchment hurriedly, concentrating on her quill.

Harry jammed one of his hands out of his pockets to shake Hermione's hand. 'Have fun, OK? And bring back loads of pictures!'

'Ones that move. I can't stand muggle photos!' Ron muttered.

Hermione scowled. She was wrapped up warmly in her scarf and winter coat. 'You'll be lucky to get a Disney pen!'

'A what pen?' Ron asked, interested.

'It's a theme park based on animated films,' Harry explained. 'But the Dursleys didn't let me watch them. Too much fantasy in them I reckon.'

'Animated what?' Ron said, even more dumbstruck. 'I think dad told me about films and stuff. It's like TV isn't it? How can they be animated though if muggles can't grasp animated photos?'

'It's not literally animated,' Hermione sighed. 'They're cartoons. People called animators draw different pictures to make an illusion – the drawings appear to move if you put so many after the other.'

'Oh,' Ron said, interested at the prospect of these films. 'Sounds cool.'

'Alright Miss Granger,' Professor McGonagall suddenly said, handing her the piece of parchment. 'Both Professor Dumbledore and I have signed this for you. Remember; it's a special notice to let you go abroad during the school holidays. It clearly states that you are not allowed to use magic under precaution except for the usual allowances. Have you got that, Miss Granger? It's very important!'

'Yes, Professor,' Hermione said seriously, pocketing it.

'So you're going with relatives who are muggles but know of your secret?'

'Yes,' she said.

'It shouldn't be hard for you to study then, just make sure you use NO magic and you'll be fine. It's bad enough to be caught using it in our own country but when you're abroad…it's often difficult to get home without a representative of the ministry of Magic to get involved and come over to help you with the case. Anyway,' she sighed, taking in Hermione's luggage. 'Have a good time, I suppose. See you next week Miss Granger!' She swept away back into the Great Hall.

'HERMIONE!!'

Ron, Harry and Hermione jumped out of their skins as two violently red headed boys stampeded down the stairs. Fred and George skidded to a halt beside them, taking deep breaths and panting heavily. Fred was the first to speak, 'thank…goodness! We didn't think we'd…get to you…in time!'

'What?' Ron looked at them curiously. 'You said bye to her last night!'

'Yeah but we forgot to ask you something…we slept in, the idiots we are…' George rasped on.

'Spit it out then,' Harry smiled at them.

'Yes Sir,' George looked at Hermione. 'We would be really honoured Hermione if you could possibly…'

'I'm not bringing back American toilet roll for you!' Hermione said quickly, going pink.

Fred blinked at her. 'No! No, we're thinking of something a little more robust this time!'

'We want a proper toilet!' George said, biting his lip to stop himself laughing.

'What?' Hermione said, dumb founded. 'You expect me to bring you…?'

'Yeah, if you wouldn't mind!' Fred said, beaming. 'Just a little shrinking charm that would do the trick!'

'Oh yeah?' Said Ron humorously. 'She's not allowed to use magic. McGonagall said.'

'Oh, Hermione remember what happened at dinner last night?' Fred begged. 'We brought some food up from the kitchens and we had a real party for your leaving.'

'It was a batch of deep fried burgers, fries and milkshakes!' Hermione scoffed.

'Yeah…to get us all in the American spirit!' The twins said, grinning like butter wouldn't melt.

'Well thank you but I guess you'll have to settle for Disney pens.' Hermione said briskly, picking up her trunk because Hagrid was waiting for her outside the door. 'See you all next week!' She waved at them as Ron and Harry yelled 'GOOD LUCK!' And the twins sulked, waving miserably.

'Alrigh', Hermione?' Hagrid gruffed, picking up the trunk for her. 'Leavin' are yer? Goin' to the States for a week? You better ruddy get me one of them pens that light up. Classic they are,' he laughed, making his beard quiver.

Hermione sighed as they walked across the grounds towards Hogsmeade. 'I wish I wasn't going Hagrid. But mum forced me in the end. Told me I need a break and to get together with my cousin. Like I care!'

'Aw, Hermione!' said Hagrid tenderly. 'That's family for yer. But you gotta break the ice sometime eh?'

They moved in silence after that and when they reached the train station, Hagrid settled her trunk down for her. 'The train will be 'ere in a minute. The residents of Hogsmeade like to use the express during term time to get to London if they can't apparate or 'ave kid's yer know.'

'I know Hagrid. I've read Hogwarts: A History, it has a full chapter on how the train operates.'

'Ah,' said Hagrid, a little deflated that his information wasn't news to her. 'Well, 'ere it is!' He beamed, as they saw white smoke chugging through the air through the trees. 'I'll 'elp yer with your trunk and I guess I'll be seein' yer next week!' He smiled at her.

As the hills rolled by and the landscape became finer, Hermione's stomach became tighter and tighter. How would she cope in Florida for a week with her cousin? The girl who, the same age as her, treated her like filth as they were growing up? The outskirts of London came into view. It was nearly time…

Finally, the Hogwarts Express rolled to a stop and steam puffed out of its engine after a long day's travel. Hermione eased her way out, put her trunk on a trolley and ran through to Kings Cross Station.

Her mother and father were there to greet her. 'Hello honey!' Her mother pulled her into a tight hug. Hermione smiled and breathed in her mother's perfume.

'It's good to see you!' She smiled up at them. They smiled back with perfect dentist teeth. 'Guess who wanted to come with us?' Her dad beamed.

Before Hermione had the chance to ask, a loud scream hailed a girl's arrival.

'HERMIONE!' Twice that day her own name made her jump out of her skin.

'Hi Cass-' Her cousin pulled her into an almighty hug; nearly strangling her. Cassie's hair was brown too and naturally bushy but she made sure it was always straight by using rollers and hair products everyday. She was a clear two inches shorter then Hermione and her eyes were a light shade of aqua that sparkled happily.

She pulled away and looked up at her cousin. 'Are you alright? How are you? It's great to see you. When are we going home? Are you staying at mine tonight? You have to because the flight's dead early. Do you want to know what Florida's like? You've never been have you? We're staying in a villa. Daddy made sure we're sharing rooms! Come on…'

Hermione nodded vigorously, as Cassie pulled her along, out of the train station. She clenched her teeth and prayed the next seven days would go faster then flying by floo powder.